Press
SECU donates more than 600 books to help summer reading campaign
RALEIGH, NC (July 31, 2014) — State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) recently hosted a Give Five-Read Five book collection organized by its Kannapolis branch staff to help local elementary schools in Cabarrus and Mecklenburg counties encourage students to read over the summer. With district and neighboring SECU branches in Concord, Cornelius, Harrisburg, Huntersville and Charlotte rallying in support, more than 600 new and gently used books were donated to area participating schools and placed in the hands of youngsters in kindergarten through fifth grade. The N.C. Education System’s summer reading initiative is designed to help prevent students from losing valuable literacy skills learned in the classroom during the year.
“Research shows students who don’t read over the summer fall behind their peers who do read,” said Connie West, Interventionist at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. “The Give Five-Read Five project provides an opportunity to help enrich and cultivate student learning over the summer months. The Credit Union’s outpouring of support through their donation of more than 600 books was fabulous and helped us reach and exceed our goal of 5,000 books!”
Gina Fritz, Senior Vice President of SECU’s Kannapolis branch commented, “Give Five-Read Five is a wonderful project that can really make a difference for children who have very few books or reading resources available to them. Many of our employees and members used this giving opportunity as a way to teach their own children the significance of donating to an important educational cause. We were thrilled to be able to donate over 600 books and put smiles on the faces of young students!”
“Our students were so excited to shop for ‘free’ books to read during the summer. Their facial expressions and comments were priceless and it really made me revisit why I became an educator. I am looking forward to partnering with State Employees’ Credit Union for next year’s campaign!” added Ms. West.
About SECU
A not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members, SECU has been providing employees of the State of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services for 77 years. With 1.9 million members, SECU provides services through 254 branch offices, 1,100 ATMs, 24/7 Contact Centers and a website, www.ncsecu.org.